AN= Well here it is everyone the next installment of hidden flame. I am amazed at the feed back I've gotten on this story, and now I have a question for you all. There are only about two more chapters to go on this one and reading back over it I've realized there are a lot of things I could have added or done differently. Once this is finished, would you like to see a rewrite or should I leave it as it?
Read and Review everyone!
Draco let out a deep sigh as the morning sun shining through the open drapes woke him. He stretched out his arms reaching for his fiance. A smile stretched across his lips, never in a million years did Draco Malfoy think he would be engaged to the bloody boy wonder.
When his wandering hands found nothing but empty sheets Draco sat up and looked around the room. It had been like this for three days now, Harry was up before the sun and spent the day in meetings with the Elven council.
Draco had asked what they were meeting about but the only response he would get was "Don't worry yourself about it. It's not important."
That wasn't a good enough answer when Harry finally made it back for dinner looking exhausted and haggard every night. Draco swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat there scowling at the floor, trying to figure out what to do for the day.
"Did the floor offend you personally?"
Draco looked up quickly to see Harry striding out of the bathroom pulling his long hair back in a ponytail at the base of his neck.
"You're still here!" Draco cried out triumphantly.
"Of course I'm still here. You didn't think I was going to let the council use up all of my time did you?" Harry teased coming over to sit on the bed. "I'm sorry I've been so busy lately. I'll make it up to you. I promise."
"Oh yeah, and how are you going to do that?" Draco asked scooting closer to kiss Harry on the cheek.
"Well for starters, how about you get dressed and we will go out for breakfast?" Harry asked before grabbing the boys chin and kissing him softly on the lips.
"That's a nice start what comes next?" Draco asked going to the closet to get dressed in the elvish attire he was finally getting used to.
"How about we spend the day going anywhere you want? Today is your day; I'm going to spoil you rotten." Harry replied with a sly smile watching his fiancé change clothes.
Draco sauntered over to the bed still clad in only boxers and pushed Harry back onto the pillows straddling his hips.
Harry allowed his hands to roam up and down the blonds sides appreciating every inch of soft skin.
"If I didn't know any better Mr. Potter, I would say you were up to something." Draco smirked.
"Maybe I am." Harry shrugged his shoulders pulling Draco down for a long breathtaking kiss.
"Oh, Honestly you two." Isabella huffed entering the room. "Get a room."
"Excuse me? We are in our room. You are the one who came barging in on our privacy." Draco snapped climbing off of Harry to go finish getting dressed.
Harry just rolled his eyes; he had given up on the hopes of the two of them ever getting along.
Half an hour later which Harry had to admit was fast for Draco, they were ready to go.
Harry took Draco to a little restaurant where they were given a private table in the back of the place.
That was one thing Harry appreciated about this realm. Yes, he was still famous for completely different reasons than the wizarding world but the elves allowed him his privacy.
After breakfast Harry allowed Draco to drag him into what seemed like every shop in town and they made purchases in all of them.
Finally they made their way back to the castle where Isabella had laid out two outfits on the bed. Harry's was in a stunning midnight blue silk lined in silver. Draco's complimented his mate's in silver lined with midnight blue.
"What are these for?" Draco questioned.
"I told you I might be up to something." Harry whispered in his ear pulling Draco's silky blond hair back and fastening it with an intricately designed silver clasp.
"And what exactly is it you are up to?" Draco asked leaning his head back against Harry's chest.
"It's a surprise." Harry replied kissing the shell of Draco's ear. "Isabella is going to help you get ready. I'll see you soon."
"Where are you going?" Draco pouted.
"To get ready." Harry laughed. "I've seen you in the bathroom. There isn't enough time for us to both get ready in the same room."
"Oh, Shut up Potter." Draco scowled blushing slightly.
"See you soon future Potter," Harry stuck out his tongue jetting out the door.
"Is it safe to come in?" Isabella asked entering the room a few moments later.
"Depends, what are you planning on doing to me?" Draco raised an eyebrow.
"I'm just here to help you get ready. There are certain traditions in a matter such as this." Isabella explained bustling around the room.
Draco followed her into the bathroom where Isabella drew a warm bath filling the tub with a potion of some sort that filled the room with a delicious floral aroma.
"What exactly is it you are getting me ready for?" Draco crossed his arms. He didn't like surprises. The last time someone had told them they had a surprised for him he had ended up bowed at Voldemort's feet.
"I can't tell you that. The Prince would have to be skinned alive if I told you." Isabella replied. "I think you are capable of bathing yourself. I'll be waiting for you."
Draco quickly disrobed and stepped into the bath. Whatever Isabella had added had him feeling relaxed and comfortable within seconds. He never wanted to get out of the tub. All to soon the infernal woman was knocking on the door though.
"We haven't got all day, príncipe noiva. Harry will be waiting."
Draco exited the bathroom with the towel Isabella had left wrapped around his waist. She was standing behind a dressing table pointing at the bench before it. Draco rolled his eyes going to have a seat. Isabella roughly dried his hair and brushed it before pulling it back with the clasp Harry had left. She then picked up what looked like a small paint brush and began to paint ancient looking runes running from the corner of Draco's eyes down his jawline.
Draco watched in fascination as the runes were completed they began to glow a faint purple before fading back to black.
Draco was then dressed in his formal attire and as the finishing touch Isabella placed a delicate silver crown on his head.
"Perfect, you look amazing Harry is going to go gaga over you." Isabella clapped her hands together. "Now your escort will arrive in just a moment. I will see you soon."
Without any further explanation she left and Draco was left standing there looking at himself in the mirror, and at the crown on his head.
He gazed at the angelic man staring back at him and a tear escaped the corner of his eye. After everything he had done. He didn't deserve this, any of it. He didn't deserve Harry or the servants.
A soft knock on the door interrupted Draco's thoughts and he quickly wiped away the tears carefully dodging the runes not wanting them to smudge.
When he opened the door his mother was standing there in a baby blue gown and looked like a queen out of the Tudor era in England. He could very well imagine her on the arm of King Henry the eighth.
"Are you ready?" Narcissa asked.
"I guess. Though I'm not sure what I'm ready for." Draco admitted closing the door behind him he took his mother's arm in his own and allowed her to lead the way. They stopped outside of a grand set of redwood doors and Remus Lupin approached taking Narcissa's arm.
"Madame may I escort you inside?" He questioned. "Harry will be here momentarily." He addressed Draco and they went in through the polished doors. Draco caught sight of what looked like a staircase leading down into a ball room before the servants closed the doors again and he vaguely heard someone announce.
"The Lady Black and Court Adviser Remus Lupin."
"Draco," Harry called out. Draco turned to see him approaching with Hermione. Though he barely recognized the girl. Her brunette hair hung in straight silky lose strands to her waist and she too was dressed in a gown like his Mother's.
"Prince Adrastos, Príncipe Noiva, Lady Granger." Samuel gave a short bow addressing them all his eyes never left Hermione. The man had a brighter smile on his face than any of them had ever seen.
"Might I escort the Lady Granger inside?" He asked politely
Harry smiled. "Of course Samuel. You really didn't have to ask."
Samuel looked like he was going to give Harry a history lesson but the prince held up a hand for silence. "I know Samuel as my guest she is my ward and permission must be asked. Permission granted."
Samuel laughed taking Hermione's arms entering through the doors.
"I'm terribly sorry to have kept you in the dark for so long love, I wanted this to be special." Harry grasped the blonde's hand pulling him close. "You look like and angel."
Draco thought he might tear up again and distracted himself by taking in Harry's appearance. His long dark hair had been braided down his back a crown adorned his head as well but it contained various rubies, emeralds and diamonds. A sword hung at his side as was tradition, and Harry had the same runes painted on his face.
"Are you ready to greet our people, Principe Noiva?" Harry asked.
"Why does everyone keep calling me that?" Draco asked.
"It's just a fancy way of saying the Prince's betrothed but it's your title for now." Harry smiled. "And this is our engagement party."
Suddenly both doors opened and Harry led Draco into the most beautiful room he had ever seen. As they stood at the top of the stairs Draco could see every inch of the ball room covered in what looked like glass upon closer inspection of the banister however he discovered it was ice. Even the pedestals holding the fire that lit the room were made of ice.
Draco suddenly realized what Harry had been doing the past three days. All of the ice sculptures the tables holding the beverages. Harry had crafted it all
"Welcome," Samuel's voice rang out over the noise in the room. "Thank you all very much for attending this most glorious event. May I announce our Prince Adrastos, and the Principe Noiva."
Draco was surprised the volume of cheers and clapping didn't shatter the ice are in the room.
He was so overwhelmed by it all he gladly accepted Harry's hand as he was led down the stairs and into the room. A soft tune began to play as Harry led them onto the dance floor and with a wave of his hand the flames lighting the room flickered and turned colors. Some a soft shade of red some a dark shade of blue other still were green. The light reflected off of the ice in the room making a very romantic atmosphere.
Harry placed a hand on Draco's waist pulling him closer and began leading them in a slow dance. Draco hid his face in Harry's shoulder to avoid all of the staring eyes until other people joined them on the dance floor and others moved on.
"I'm sorry love. The opening dance is traditional." Harry murmured.
"It's not the dance. I love to dance." Draco admitted, "It's everyone staring."
"They are only staring because they are jealous of us." Harry grinned. "Let's go see what the kitchen has come up with. I can show you what I've done with the place."
Draco agreed and they meandered the room together Harry showing him the various pieces of ice sculpture art.
"Your royal highnesses." Fred and George both bowed ridiculously low and gave identical grins. "Don't worry Malfoy. You are still the amazing bouncing ferret to us." George grinned.
"But really." Fred cut in smacking his twin upside the head. "Congratulations."
"Gred, Forge. There is someone I would like you to meet." Harry spoke with a sly grin on his face. "Draco I'll be right back."
Fred and George followed Harry through the crowd of people until they reached the front of the room close to the thrones.
Harry motioned for the twins to wait and approached two elven women with their backs to them. Harry spoke to them a moment before returning to the twins with them.
"Fred, George. I would like you both to meet Ivy and Sky." Harry introduced. Fred and George's jaws hit the floor. The elven twins before them had long honey blonde hair. They were tall and slender with almond shaped hazel eyes. Their skin looked kissed by the moon like all elves.
"Sky and Ivy are two of my best ladies of the court. Why don't you two show them a good time since I've just given them the night off."
"Gladly." Fred winked holding his arm out to Ivy who accepted giggling.
"More than happy to oblige." Said George following his twin's example leading Sky onto the dance floor.
Later into the night Harry had taken a seat in his throne with Draco in his lap. If it was inappropriate to the elven tradition no one said anything. He held his mate against him and smiled out of his people. Fred and George could be seen off to the side talking to Ivy and Sky. Hermione and Samuel were dancing rather closely on the dance floor and Narcissa was standing with Remus at the refreshment table laughing and smiling.
Luna and Isabella had made an appearance but had disappeared some hours ago together. Severus was currently standing close to the throne talking quietly with Grayson. Harry knew what it was about but didn't want to think about it.
He knew the next day he would have to take Draco before the council with him to decide what would be done when they returned to school. The results of Pansy and Ginny's trial would be announced at the meeting as well.
For tonight Harry planned on simply enjoying himself and allowing his betrothed to do the same.